Thai Commerce Ministry to Showcase Soft Power at Cannes Film Festival 2025
Thailand's participation aims to promote its creative economy and expand trade opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
The Thai Commerce Ministry is set to showcase the country's soft power at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, scheduled from May 13 to May 21, 2025.
Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, the permanent secretary of the ministry, announced that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote Thai culture and creative industries on an international stage.
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) will oversee the establishment of the Thailand Pavilion, which will cover an area of 82 square meters.
This pavilion will feature business matching activities designed to provide Thai entrepreneurs with opportunities to broaden their global market reach.
Vuttikrai expressed optimism, stating that they expect Thai entrepreneurs to penetrate new markets, aiming for trade valued at no less than 1 billion baht during the event.
A total of 12 Thai companies will participate in this year’s festival, including eight film and animation producers and distributors, three television drama and program producers, and one company specializing in film and video-related services.
Significant business negotiations have already occurred, such as conversations involving Mono Streaming with a Malaysian company that is interested in distributing Thai films.
The potential for further expansion of Thai content across various platforms, including cinemas and media outlets, remains strong.
Idol Factory, a notable creator of Y-series and Girls' Love (GL) content in Thailand, is also in discussions with firms from Vietnam and Hong Kong regarding the purchase of series for in-flight entertainment.
Furthermore, negotiations are underway with a Brazilian company interested in investing in Idol Factory.
Thai horror films have gained traction in international markets, evidenced by the selection of several Thai films for competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2025.
Among the notable entries is 'A Useful Ghost,' directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, featuring prominent actors Davika 'Mai' Hoorne and Witsarut 'Most' Himmarat.
Vuttikrai noted that the Commerce Ministry is committed to systematically promoting Thai soft power as part of its efforts to enhance the country’s creative economy and bolster its competitiveness in the global market.
The ministry also reported that in 2024, there were 343 trade negotiations with foreign buyers and investors, generating a total trade value of 1.46 billion baht, which included 64.75 million baht in immediate transactions.
Key trading partners for Thailand included the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, the permanent secretary of the ministry, announced that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote Thai culture and creative industries on an international stage.
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) will oversee the establishment of the Thailand Pavilion, which will cover an area of 82 square meters.
This pavilion will feature business matching activities designed to provide Thai entrepreneurs with opportunities to broaden their global market reach.
Vuttikrai expressed optimism, stating that they expect Thai entrepreneurs to penetrate new markets, aiming for trade valued at no less than 1 billion baht during the event.
A total of 12 Thai companies will participate in this year’s festival, including eight film and animation producers and distributors, three television drama and program producers, and one company specializing in film and video-related services.
Significant business negotiations have already occurred, such as conversations involving Mono Streaming with a Malaysian company that is interested in distributing Thai films.
The potential for further expansion of Thai content across various platforms, including cinemas and media outlets, remains strong.
Idol Factory, a notable creator of Y-series and Girls' Love (GL) content in Thailand, is also in discussions with firms from Vietnam and Hong Kong regarding the purchase of series for in-flight entertainment.
Furthermore, negotiations are underway with a Brazilian company interested in investing in Idol Factory.
Thai horror films have gained traction in international markets, evidenced by the selection of several Thai films for competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2025.
Among the notable entries is 'A Useful Ghost,' directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, featuring prominent actors Davika 'Mai' Hoorne and Witsarut 'Most' Himmarat.
Vuttikrai noted that the Commerce Ministry is committed to systematically promoting Thai soft power as part of its efforts to enhance the country’s creative economy and bolster its competitiveness in the global market.
The ministry also reported that in 2024, there were 343 trade negotiations with foreign buyers and investors, generating a total trade value of 1.46 billion baht, which included 64.75 million baht in immediate transactions.
Key trading partners for Thailand included the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
